Live TR from AKV-Kidani (12/4-12/11)

[WolfpackFan]

Sunday afternoon update -

Went to AK again this morning and had a good Safari. I really like how they have changed the story on the Safari's and have gotten rid of the poacher story line. Plus I like the area at the end where the Zebras appear. We saw a lot of animals. At one time I bet there were 6 or 7 Giraffes in one area. After the Safari, DW went to the bird show while I did a single rider Expedition Everest ride. I then took some pictures and ended up getting a nice cold beer and just sat and people watched while DW finished her show . For lunch we went to Flame Tree BBQ and shared the half rack of ribs and got an order of onion rings. This is a tradition we do every trip and really enjoyed the ribs and rings.

We then left AK and headed to Epcot where we did Living Seas and Ellen. I debated doing a pub crawl around WS taking pictures, but instead since I'm always in trip planning mode, we decided to take a bus to Port Orleans Riverside. I am going to be running short on points next year because of us giving DD points for her honeymoon at AK-Kidani. I have just enough points (other than our annual visit to HHI) for six nights at OKW, so I am planning on adding on three nights at POR. This will be next October for F&W and MNSSHP (my two favorite events in the Disney year). DW already has her costume, a drindl (German dress) that my SIL got for her. DB and SIL have been living in Nuremburg, Germany for the last two and a half years and my wife loves the costumes. So what better to wear to MNSSHP. It has been a long time since we've stayed at a moderate and am kind of looking forward to it for a change.

Plan for tonight is to stay home. Eventually we'll walk over to Jambo for dinner at Mara and then maybe hangout at the fire pit some. But want to be back here to see the ending of Amazing Race.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow to post today's pictures as I didn't take many today.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We just got back from Kidani 12/1-12/9. The weather last week was fabulous! We were in the last bead of the necklace, closest to Jambo, and that was a long walk! We used the Zazu elevator a lot and just walked to the bus stop from there. We did not find the crowds to be too bad. They seemed to be worse in 12/2010 when we were there last. We tried to follow easywdw.com touring recommendations for most of the week this time, which worked out really well. We actually rode the new TT 3 times on Tues, 3 times on Thurs and twice on Sat. Despite being at the end of the necklace, we really enjoyed Kidani. The pool area is great. We can't wait to return in July!!

I love how you have posted your pictures using iCloud. How do you do that? Feel free to PM me.

Enjoy your last few hours at Kidani!!

 

[meggybear17]

We checked out of Kidani yesterday after 8 nights in a standard studio. We were traveling with both sets of our parents and were lucky enough to get three studios right near each other. We were on the fifth floor (which I guess is technically only the 3rd floor?) and we're right off the lobby elevator thankfully! Those hallways were very long! We had a wonderful stay. No issues with our studio at all, a few minor things (broken coffee pot, malfunctioning exhaust fans) were corrected promptly in our parents rooms. Had full room cleaning and trash and towel services right on schedule.

Crowds were heavier than I expected but manageable. The weather could not have been more perfect. We barely touched the long pants and jackets we packed. There was one tour group that stood out to us too, probably the same one OP saw. I think it was a soccer team maybe? Anyway we ran into them in several parks and wherever they went they took over the place. Had to be over 100 young teens. At one point it took my DH 20 minutes just to get a little mermaid Fastpass because the tour leader happened to get in line and got passes for that whole crowd! Then of course we got not line behind them at the ride and the Fastpass line stretched out past the entrance.

I would not hesitate to stay at Kidani again. Our parents loved it as well. We stayed at BWV last night at the end of our trip and while I love the proximity to Epcot and the general vibe of the place the rooms were a letdown after Kidani!

 

[westjones]

I would not hesitate to stay at Kidani again. Our parents loved it as well. We stayed at BWV last night at the end of our trip and while I love the proximity to Epcot and the general vibe of the place the rooms were a letdown after Kidani!

Thanks for posting this. I love BWV so much, but in August we are taking my twin DD19 and a friend for one and the boyfriend of the other, so with that 'mix' I think the 2 bedroom at Kidani is the best option. The BF can be in the living room on the chair sleeper and have his own bathroom, and the three girls are in the second bedroom with their bathroom and DH and I in the master with our bathroom.

So the set up is best there....it is just going to be hard not to be at BWV this time. But we haven't stayed at Kidani so I am hoping we find we love it there too. Glad to hear so many positive things about it.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Tuesday morning update -

Last full day at WDW. Sad, but I am already planning next years trip (looking forward to staying at OKW and F&W). Yesterday we hit MK early for our Character Breakfast at Crystal Palace. Breakfast was just okay and the characters were very slow coming around. It took a very long time to get an omelet. Will probably not do it again. IMO the breakfast at Cape May is much better.

We then spent the rest of the morning just walking around MK. Rode Peter Pan, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, saw Hall of Presidents and rode the steamboat. Then came back to Kidani and sat out and watched animals for a while. I then walked over to Jambo and took some pictures.

Okay Kidani lovers, I have to say I really do prefer Jambo over Kidani. The ambience in the lobby is just better and I like the close access to Mara. I know Kidani has a lot of pluses, but we've given it a try several times now and I think from now on I'll be getting my ressies at Jambo. Both are great resorts, don't get me wrong, but overall I just like Jambo better.

In the evening we headed back to Epcot. Walked around WS some and had dinner at Japan (the CS part). Had some very good sushi. We then went to the Candlelight Processional. Show was just starting and it wasn't full, so DW and I sat and listened to it some but it started raining, so we headed to bus. Didn't get too wet.

Plan for the day is - Epcot during the day and MVMCP tonight. Unfortunately it looks like rain this evening again and strong winds. Yuck. Hope we haven't wasted our money on the party.

Kidanifan - You asked about how I do my pictures. I am using the Apple iCloud service (comes free to every Apple user). I am publishing the pictures as a Shared Photostream (allowing public access) on my Mac using iPhoto. You can also publish Shared Photostreams on your iPhone and iPad within the Photos app. Just make sure you allow public access for it to give you a URL to share.

Yesterday's Pictures

 

[WolfpackFan]

Wednesday update -

Well folks we've come to the end of another great WDW trip and stay at AKV-Kidani. Will head north shortly and are spending the night at HHI before heading home tomorrow.

But going back to yesterday. We tried to get the most out of our last full day. Headed to Epcot first and got a FP for Soarin and then started going around WS taking pictures, going into shops, etc. Rode Maelstorm again and watched the Canada movie. Then it was time for our Soarin FP. Got a great location - top row, center. Yea!! We then headed back over to see American Adventure followed by one last stop at Mouse Gears for souvenirs.

Last night was MVMCP. Had a great time. Great parade, fireworks and show.

Well that's about it. Whenever DW gets up, we'll start packing and loading the car. Hope to be at HHI by 3:00. Not sure where we will eat tonight. I wants some "regular" food, if you know what I mean. Might try that new BBQ restaurant someone mentioned or maybe Hudson's.

I will post the last batch of pictures tomorrow when we get back home.

Hope you have enjoyed my TR.

PS - One last mention about Jambo vs. Kidani. Sitting in Kidani lobby right now typing this and it's like Grand Central Station here. I just don't remember it being this noisy and congested over at Jambo. So if the lobby is important to you (and it is to me because we always stay in studios and I see the lobby as an extension of our room) stay at Jambo.

 

[SusieBea]

Saturday morning update -

A note on crowds. IMO they have been very, very heavy most everywhere we've been. I know this is subjective and depends on where you are and when, but I don't remember the crowds being this heavy this time of year (and we've been here many times this time of year). I guess it's the opening of New Fantasyland. Plus lots of cheerleaders and BTG's.

We were at OKW from 12/1 -12/5, and I didn't think the crowds were bad at all (and we've gone several times that time of year as well). What a difference a few days can make.

Have a safe trip, and enjoy your stay on HHI!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Final thoughts -

Well we got back home last Thursday. Wednesday night we stayed in a 1BR at HHI. DW washed all our clothes and we had a nice dinner at San Miguel's. It was nice coming home with all clean clothes. We may make this our new tradition after our WDW trips.

I am having major WDW withdrawal. I keep playing this game of what were we doing a week ago, etc. DW and I agree this was probably our best WDW trip to date, except for perhaps our Christmas trip when we took both DS and DD a couple of years ago. The crowds were larger than we were expecting but not enough to make it unpleasant. We just went with the flow and never really had to wait too long to do a ride. I keep telling people who are not familiar with WDW that Disney does Christmas right. The parks and resorts were as beautiful as ever. And the two Candlelight Processionals we saw really put us both in the Christmas mood.

So now we're back home and into the daily grind but am already planning our trip for next October. I only have enough points to stay at OKW for 6 nights (and that is with buying 3 one time use points). But we plan to augment OKW with three nights at Port Orleans Riverside on the front end.

If you want to see all of the pictures that I took during our trip (and I took about 800), click on the photo link in my signature. The pictures are in the first two folders (one for my regular camera and one for my iPhone). I will be deleting the pictures collections previously posted in this TR as they are meant to serve as temporary collections only.

Hope everyone enjoyed my TR.

 

[westjones]

Glad you had a great trip! Thanks for the updates. I can't wait for our trip to AKV